Cleft lip and palate remains the most common congenital abnormality in the world; in the UK, almost 1,200 babies a year are affected. The cause of cleft is still largely unknown and experts continue to disagree on the best treatments and the most appropriate long term support. Research in this area is urgently needed.
In October 2009, three applications were received to host this important programme of research, from;
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Barts and The London NHS Trust, University College London Institute of Child Health and the Barts and The London Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry,
- The University of Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of the West of England, and
- The University of Manchester and the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Following external review, site visits and interviews, in January 2010, the Healing Foundation invited the University of Manchester to host a clinical research programme in cleft and the University of Bristol to host the UK cleft Gene Bank. Both Universities were invited to discuss how best to apportion the available research funds to achieve maximum outcome.
University of Manchester – The UK Clinical Research Centre supported by VTCT
Up to £2.4 million will be made available, over 10 years, to establish a national network for research coordinated from Manchester. This will see work undertaken most relevant to improving children’s clinical and life-long needs. Healing Foundation and VTCT support will provide the infrastructure for research into areas such as the most appropriate surgical methods to repair cleft, the early use of antibiotics in young children, hearing, speech and language therapies and the long-term psycho-social support cleft families need. The University of Manchester will also work closely with the Gene Bank team, employing its worldwide expertise to investigate the possible ‘single gene’ causes of cleft occurrence. This work could impact on clinical practice within the next 5 to 10 years.
University of Bristol – The UK Cleft Gene Bank supported by VTCT
A maximum of £2.6 million over 10 years will be made available in Bristol to establish and maintain the world’s largest cleft gene bank. Every child (and parents) born with cleft in the UK from 2011, will be encouraged to contribute blood and tissue samples. Detailed family histories, health assessments and long term follow up will allow researchers to better understand the impact of life style on the causes of cleft. Combined with the ‘single gene’ expertise of Manchester and Bristol’s own world class research reputation in this area, this could, within a generation, result in a much better understanding of the causes and the best way to possibly prevent cleft, in the future.
Both programmes of research are due to begin in January 2011.